Childhood and Education Journey of Carmelo Anthony in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Carmelo Anthony. A timeline of key moments.

Carmelo Anthony, a retired American professional basketball player, had a distinguished 19-season NBA career. A ten-time NBA All-Star and six-time All-NBA Team selection, he gained prominence early, leading Syracuse Orange to a national championship in 2003 and earning the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player award. In 2021, Anthony was honored on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, solidifying his reputation as one of the NBA's premier scorers. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice in 2025, individually and as part of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

May 29, 1984: Carmelo Anthony Born

On May 29, 1984, Carmelo Kyam Anthony was born. He would later become a professional basketball player in the NBA.

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1999: Growth Spurt

During the summer of 1999, Carmelo Anthony grew 5 inches, reaching a height of 6-foot-5-inch.

2000: Winner of USA Today high school championship

In 2000-01, Oak Hill Academy won the USA Today high school championship.

2001: Transferred to Oak Hill Academy

During the summer of 2001, Carmelo Anthony transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia for his senior year.

2001: Baltimore Sun's Metro Player of the Year

In 2001, Carmelo Anthony was named The Baltimore Sun's metro player of the year, as well as Baltimore Catholic League player of the year.

2001: Tournament Win at The Les Schwab Invitational

In 2001-02, Oak Hill Academy won The Les Schwab Invitational against Mater Dei High School from Santa Ana, California, with Carmelo Anthony winning the tournament MVP.

2002: Played for Syracuse University

Carmelo Anthony played one season at Syracuse University, during the 2002–03 season.

2002: McDonald's All-American Game

In 2002, Carmelo Anthony played in the McDonald's All-American Game, scoring 19 points and winning the Sprite Slam Jam dunk contest.

2003: Guided Orangemen to NCAA Tournament Title

In 2003, Carmelo Anthony helped guide the Syracuse Orangemen to their first ever NCAA tournament title and earned the tournament's Most Outstanding Player Award.

2003: First Shoe Deal with Jordan Brand

In 2003, Carmelo Anthony signed his first shoe deal with Jordan Brand, earning $3.5 million per year for six years.

2003: National Championship and NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player

In 2003, Carmelo Anthony, as a freshman playing college basketball for the Syracuse Orange, won a national championship and was named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

2003: Declared for the NBA draft

In 2003, after accomplishing everything he set out to do in one season, Carmelo Anthony chose to leave Syracuse and declared himself eligible for the NBA draft.

2004: Engagement to La La Vazquez

In 2004, Carmelo Anthony became engaged to Alani "La La" Vazquez.

2004: Publication of "Carmelo Anthony: It's Just The Beginning"

In 2004, Carmelo Anthony co-authored the book "Carmelo Anthony: It's Just The Beginning" with Greg Brown, providing an autobiography from his Baltimore upbringing to the NBA.

Carmelo Anthony: It's Just The Beginning (Positively for Kids Book)

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2004: Release of First Signature Shoe

In 2004, Carmelo Anthony's first signature shoe, the Jordan Carmelo 1.5, was released.

Nike Jordan Carmelo 1.5 Low

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2004: Donation to Tsunami Relief Efforts

In 2004, following the tsunami caused by the Indian Ocean earthquake, Carmelo Anthony donated $35,000 to relief efforts.

2005: Appearance in Common's Music Video

In 2005, Carmelo Anthony appeared in the music video for Common's song "Be" from the album Be.

2005: Donations to Charity

In 2005, Carmelo Anthony donated $1,000 per point scored against San Antonio and Houston on January 8 and 9, respectively.

December 14, 2006: Opening of Youth Development Center

On December 14, 2006, Carmelo Anthony opened "The Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center" in Baltimore.

2006: Charitable Donations Ranking

For charitable contributions totaling $4,282,000, Carmelo Anthony was listed as number eight in "The Giving Back 30 List of Largest Charitable Donations by Celebrities in 2006".

2006: Partnership with Hemelgarn Racing

In 2006, Carmelo Anthony partnered with Hemelgarn Racing in the IndyCar Series season, campaigning a car driven by P.J. Chesson. Two cars under the moniker "Car-Melo" qualified for the 2006 Indianapolis 500, but the team dismantled after a crash.

February 2, 2007: Anthony involved in a minor car accident

On February 2, 2007, Carmelo Anthony and teammate J. R. Smith were involved in a minor car accident. The car driven by Smith belonged to Anthony, and neither player was injured.

March 7, 2007: Birth of Son Kiyan

On March 7, 2007, Carmelo Anthony and La La Vazquez's son, Kiyan Carmelo Anthony, was born.

July 10, 2010: Wedding to La La Vazquez

On July 10, 2010, Carmelo Anthony married La La Vazquez at Cipriani's in New York City. The ceremony was filmed by VH1 for a reality series called La La's Full Court Wedding.

2010: Sister's Death

In 2010, Carmelo Anthony's sister, Michelle, passed away.

2011: Jersey Number with New York Knicks

In 2011, Carmelo Anthony started wearing jersey number 7 while playing for the New York Knicks.

2012: Guest Appearance in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles spin-off comics

In 2012, Carmelo Anthony participated in a merchandising cooperation with Nickelodeon for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, where he has several guest appearances as a comic character in the Amazing Adventures spin-off comics to the TV series.

2012: Guest Star on Nurse Jackie

In Spring 2012, Carmelo Anthony guest starred in several episodes of the Showtime series Nurse Jackie as a professional baseball player going through drug rehab.

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2013: Appearance in Chinese film "Amazing"

In 2013, Carmelo Anthony, along with Dwight Howard and Scottie Pippen, appeared in the Chinese film Amazing, a joint venture between the NBA and Shanghai Film Group Corporation.

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2014: Cameo Appearance on Sons of Anarchy

In 2014, Carmelo Anthony made a cameo appearance in an episode of the FX series Sons of Anarchy as a henchman to Moses Cartwright.

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2015: Founded Puerto Rico FC

In 2015, Carmelo Anthony founded the North American Soccer League expansion club Puerto Rico FC, viewing it as community outreach and a long-term investment.

2016: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Action Film

In 2016, Carmelo Anthony had several guest appearances in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, namely in the action film.

2017: End of Jersey Number with New York Knicks

In 2017, Carmelo Anthony ended wearing jersey number 7 while playing for the New York Knicks.

December 2018: Reconciliation with La La

In December 2018, Carmelo Anthony and La La Vazquez reconciled.

2018: Thirteen Shoes Released in Melo Line

As of 2018, thirteen shoes have been released in the Melo line.

2020: Sells New York Property

In 2020, Carmelo Anthony sold his property in New York.

April 2021: Launch of Creative 7 Production Company

In April 2021, Carmelo Anthony launched a production company called Creative 7, named after his New York Knicks jersey number 7.

June 2021: La La Files for Divorce

In June 2021, La La Vazquez filed for divorce from Carmelo Anthony.

2022: Publication of "Where Tomorrows Aren't Promised: A Memoir of Survival and Hope"

In 2022, Carmelo Anthony wrote a New York Times bestselling memoir titled "Where Tomorrows Aren't Promised: A Memoir of Survival and Hope" co-written with D. Watkins, detailing his early life in Brooklyn and Baltimore, and his experiences leading up to the NBA draft.